Crohn's and Colitis Community Truck

Community involvement is a cornerstone of success for any business. As concrete producers, we spend a lot of time and effort on employee safety and lessening our environmental impact. But to truly be involved in each community that allows us to do business, we must also support the causes that help the local citizens and give back to the community. It’s more than simply giving money or donating concrete, our community presence gives us the ability to bring awareness to causes that may otherwise remain unknown.

Not only is it important to support causes that are near and dear to the communities in which we serve, but also those of our valued employees. For Dave Poling, American Concrete Dispatch Manager, and his wife Lisa, finding a cure for Crohn’s and Colitis has taken on an importance all parents dread. On May 15, 2008 at just 11 years old their son Nicolas was diagnosed with Crohn’s. After being ill for years and going undiagnosed, finding out he had Crohn’s has enabled him to receive proper treatment and increase his quality of life. Crohn’s and Colitis are both chronic conditions that affect the daily lives of those who have it. Although constant pain, threat of flare ups, and medications with harsh side effects are part of living with Crohn’s, Nicolas is determined to live his life and plays football, basketball, and baseball.

Less than two years later in March of 2010, Dave and Lisa’s’ 14 year old son Justin was diagnosed with Colitis. Even though Nicolas is the younger brother, his struggle to live with this disease has driven him to bring awareness to the cause to help his brother learn to live with Colitis and have a happy, healthy life. Nicolas’s efforts have been recognized by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and have named him the 2010 CCFA Honored Hero for the June 5^th “ Take Steps to be Heard” walk at Grey’s Lake.

American Concrete is honored to be able to help bring awareness to a disease that is hard to diagnose and not often talked about. Next time you see the American Concrete “Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis” truck drive by, please think of Nicolas, Justin, and the thousands of other people living with this disease and help spread the word.